Various model-independent aspects of the $bar{K} N to K Xi$ reaction are investigated, starting from the determination of the most general structure of the reaction amplitude for $Xi$ baryons with $J^P=frac12^pm$ and $frac32^pm$ and the observables that allow a complete determination of these amplitudes. Polarization observables are constructed in terms of spin-density matrix elements. Reflection symmetry about the reaction plane is exploited, in particular, to determine the parity of the produced $Xi$ in a model-independent way. In addition, extending the work of Biagi $mathrm{textit{et al. } [Z. Phys. C textbf{34}, 175 (1987)]}$, a way is presented of determining simultaneously the spin and parity of the ground state of $Xi$ baryon as well as those of the excited $Xi$ states.